Tag Archives: four wheels

For partners Jeff Duffey and Matt Maynard, working out is just part of the life cycle

RACKET, CLUB | Jeff Duffey, left, is a tennis fanatic and his partner Matt Maynard, right, enjoys golf, but both enjoy training together as they did for the MS 150 Bike Ride earlier this year. (Arnold Wayne Jones/ Dallas Voice)

Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way. Or in the case of this month’s dynamic duo, it’s more like four wheels to get the job done. Although golf, tennis and running factor into their weekly workout routines, it’s lengthy bike rides (78 miles and counting to date) that really help partners Matt Maynard and Jeff Duffey to keep their healthy lifestyle in high gear.

What sports and physical activities do you both participate in? Biking, running, tennis, volleyball and golf.

Exercise regime:Maynard: Running or biking at least three times a week is my goal. If I am training for a race or ride, I try to make it four times a week.Duffey: I play tennis three to four times a week. Otherwise, I try to bike or run a couple times a week.

Most memorable athletic accomplishment:Maynard: A year ago, I played in a high-profile charity golf tournament in San Diego and my team won first place. The prize was two, first-class tickets to Europe. It was Jeff’s first time to visit Europe, so that meant a lot to me.

Duffey: I have a few. Back in 2003, my men’s tennis league finished first in Texas and we went on to play in the National Tournament in Tucson — it was a great experience. Completing a 78-mile bike ride with Matt and several of our friends at last year’s MS 150 Bike Ride was pretty awesome as well.

Workout preference: mornings or evenings?Maynard: Mornings.

Duffey: I wish I could work out in the mornings, but I gave up on trying to be a morning person a long time ago. I’d much rather go to the gym at 10 p.m. to run five miles than force myself out of bed at 6 a.m.

And words of advice for people trying to work fitness into their life? Maynard: Do it in the mornings and get it out of the way. Most people get tired as the day goes on and other things can come up allowing you to make excuses for not working out. Getting on a good supplement program can definitely help you reach your goals faster.

Duffey: I’m probably not the best person to tell people they need to make fitness a priority in their life, since I’m one of those people who is guilty of finding excuses not to go to the gym or workout. But you really do have to treat fitness as you would a social engagement or business appointment. It helps that with tennis, biking and golfing there is usually someone else there to keep you accountable.

If you could become an Olympian in any sport, what would it be and why?Maynard: Curling, just because it looks fun!Duffey: Playing tennis is an obvious answer for me, but I’ve secretly always wanted to be a gymnast. But I’m 6-foot-3, and being tall isn’t exactly a great quality to have in gymnastics.

Do you have a favorite song or playlist for working out?Duffey: I’m sure if you heard some of the playlists I run or bike to you wouldn’t know what to think about me. For the most part, I like pop and hip-hop, but you just never know when an awesome rock ballad or Tupac song might show up.

Which celebrity or athlete’s physique would you like to have and why?Duffey: It bothers me a little that he’s less than six feet tall, but you can’t get much more athletically and aesthetically perfect than David Beckham, although I do think Michael Phelps has a superior physique. So, yeah. Put David Beckham’s head on Michael Phelps’ 6-foot-4 frame and that’s pretty much perfection in my book.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 25, 2011.